Stories That Matter features documentaries, essays, and narratives that look into the societal and cultural aspects of our world. Sometimes critical, sometimes tongue-in-cheek, sometimes heartbreaking - these stories may be personal, but the themes and impact are often universal.

From environmental crises to personal stories, this lineup of documentary and fiction films gives insight into the meta and micro narratives that impact our lives. Featuring an international selection of short and feature films from countries such as Iran, The Philippines, the United States, and Singapore.

Roy Payamal is the wildest busker of a country ranked the world’s most emotionless society. He takes his undermined line of work as a serious art- but is his faith impossible idealism or an admirable conviction? Singapore Minstrel is an invitation into his beautiful mind, a magical, trying universe where art and life dialogue in a tropical dream.

Bio of Ng Xi Jie

Ng Xi Jie creates intimate encounters for a noisy world. Her works, which dance between the forms of film, performance, installation, social practice, and writing; has been made and presented in Singapore, USA, Finland, and India. Based in Singapore, she invents little cosmic experiences for the real and imagined lives of humans. Singapore Minstrel, her first feature film, premiered at the 26th Singapore International Film Festival.